New Zealand have never scored a try against the Springboks at a Rugby World Cup.
History like this has sustained the Springboks as they prepare for the quarter final showdown with New Zealand in Melbourne on Sunday 9 November.
The Springboks are promising a wall of green will confront an All Black attack which has produced 42 tries in the Tournament to date, one short of their own record set at RWC 1987.
But they have never scored a try against South Africa at a RWC. The 1995 final was lost 12-15 in overtime and the 1999 third-fourth playoff lost 18-22.
South Africa have done their homework
South Africa have done their homework and are quietly confident they have the defensive system to shut down the All Blacks.
South Africa conceded just three tries in the Pool rounds, including a charge down against world-ranked number one England in the 25-6 loss.
Coach Rudolf Straeuli was forced to revamp the Springbok defensive system after a series of unconvincing displays in the lead up to RWC, including a 16-52 loss to the All Blacks in Pretoria during the Tri Nations.
The All Blacks by contrast conceded four tries in the win over Wales, interestingly the fourth worst defensive display in 378 tests.
While Straeuli was interested in the way Wales were able to break the All Black, it was the way the Welsh defence was able to cut down several All Blacks moves out wide, often because the New Zealanders were forced to spread static ball.
The Springboks had spies in Sydney for the New Zealand Wales game.
"After the Tri-Nations every team went in different routes in their preparation," Straeuli said. "I worked hard on our defence and we've actually got quite a good defensive system that doesn't let a lot of tries in or line breaks.
"Defence is also about attitude and this team has got attitude. That's what you need mental toughness for, this time of the tournament.
"We've spent more time working on defensive systems and one-on-one technique. It's going to help us a lot.
It is a different team now
"That performance at Pretoria was unacceptable, it was one of our worst games but there again we didn't have a settled backline that day.
"We've improved a lot and mentally we're a lot stronger than we were."
South Africa made just one change from the impressive 60-10 defeat of Samoa in the final Pool match, bringing giant flanker Danie Rossouw in for departed star Joe Van Niekerk, ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury.
Just seven players who started the last Test against the All Blacks, the 11-19 loss at Dunedin, will start again on Saturday. New Zealand have 10 starters back.
Nothing wrong with the ref
All Black flanker Richard McCaw is unconcerned Englishman Tony Spreadbury is the referee, claiming there is little difference in interpretations at the breakdown at this World Cup.
Spreadbury refereed the All Blacks Tri-Nations test against Australia in Sydney in July.
"He's a pretty relaxed character, who communicates well with the players," McCaw said.
"The times I've had him, I've always known where I stand. That's all you can ask for. I'm happy to have him this week.
"All the refs have been of the highest quality and we expect the same this weekend. The refereeing has been consistent but referees do have different personalities and we have to adapt."